Method and system for sending location coded images over a wireless network

ABSTRACT

A system is described that utilizes an imager in a wireless device ( 102 ) in a wireless network ( 100 ) and transmits a digital image to a service center ( 120 ) that assists in identifying the location of the wireless device ( 102 ) within a cell site ( 104 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/327900, filed on Oct. 9, 2001, and entitled “METHOD ANDSYSTEM FOR SENDING LOCATION CODED IMAGES OVER A WIRELESS NETWORK,” whichis herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the use of an image-sensing devicein connection with a wireless communication device in conjunction with alocation determination element.

2. Related Art

The worldwide utilization of wireless devices such as two-way radios,portable televisions, personal communication system (“PCS”), personaldigital assistants (“PDAs”) cellular telephones (also known a “mobilephones”), Bluetooth, satellite radio receivers and Satellite PositioningSystems (“SPS”) such as Global Positioning Systems (“GPS”), also knownas NAVSTAR, is growing at a rapid pace.

When emergencies occur, people are used to dialing 911 (normallyreferred to as a “911” call) on a land telephone and contacting anemergency center that automatically is able to identify the location ofthe land telephone where the call originated. Typically, wirelessdevices are unable to communicate their location without a personentering or describing their location. The United States Congress,through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has enacted arequirement tat cellular telephones be locatable to within 50 feet oncean emergency call, such as an “Enhanced 911” (also known as E911), isplaced by a given cellular telephone. This type of position data wouldassist police, paramedics, and other law enforcement and public servicepersonnel, as well as other agencies that may need to have legal rightsto determine the position of a specific cellular telephone. The “E911”services, however, operate differently on wireless devices than a 911call does on land-line telephones.

When a 911 call is placed from a land-line telephone, the 911 receptioncenter receives the call and determines the origin of the call. In casethe caller fails, or forgets, to identify his or her location, the 911reception center is able to obtain the location from which the call wasmade from the public telephone switching network (PSTN) and sendemergency personnel to the location of the call.

If instead, an E911 call is placed from a wireless device such as acellular telephone, the E911 reception center receives the call butcannot determine the origin of the call. If the caller fails, orforgets, to identify his or her location, the E911 reception center isunable to obtain the location of the call because the wireless networkis different than the PSTN. At present, the best that the E911 receptioncenter may do is to determine the location of the cell site from whichthe call was placed. Unfortunately, typical cell sites in a wirelessnetwork system may cover an area with approximately a 30-mile diameter.Further refinement of the location may be determinable in a digitalnetwork by the power setting of the calling wireless device. But, thisstill results in an area covering multiple miles.

A proposed solution to this problem has been to utilize a wirelesspositioning system that includes satellites and/or pseudolites (such asbase station) to triangulate the position of a wireless device such as acellular telephone. GPS is an example of a Satellite Positioning System(SPS) that may be utilized by a wireless device in combination with anappropriate GPS receiver to pinpoint the location of the wireless deviceon earth. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,914, issued to Krasner, whichis incorporated by reference herein, describes a method wherein the basestation transmits GPS satellite information, including Dopplerinformation, to a remote unit using a cellular data link, and computingpseudoranges to the in-view satellites without receiving or usingsatellite ephemeris information. Another proposed solution requiresmultiple displays and transmission of location data and image data to areceiving device without being associated. For example, U.S. PatentApplication No. 200020077123 A1, applied for by Shuji et al., which isincorporated by reference herein.

The array of GPS satellites in a SPS transmits highly accurate, timecoded information that permits a receiver to calculate its exactlocation in terms of latitude and longitude on earth as well as thealtitude above sea level. The GPS system is designed to provide a basenavigation system with accuracy to within 100 meters for non-militaryuse and greater precision for the military (with Selective AvailabilityON).

The space segment of the GPS system is a constellation of satellitesorbiting above the earth that contain transmitters, which send highlyaccurate timing information to GPS receivers on earth. The fullyimplemented GPS system consists of 21 main operational satellites plusthree active spare satellites. These satellites are arranged in sixorbits, each orbit containing three or four satellites. The orbitalplanes form a 55° angle with the equator. The satellites orbit at aheight of 10,898 nautical miles (20,200 kilometers) above earth withorbital periods for each satellite of approximately 12 hours.

Each of the orbiting satellites contains four highly accurate atomicclocks. These provide precision timing pulses used to generate a uniquebinary code (also known as a pseudo random or pseudo noise “PN” code)that is transmitted to earth. The PN code identifies the specificsatellite in the constellation. The satellite also transmits a set ofdigitally coded ephemeris data that completely defines the precise orbitof the satellite. The ephemeris data indicates where the satellite is atany given time, and its location may be specified in terms of thesatellite ground track in precise latitude and longitude measurements.The information in the ephemeris data is coded and transmitted from thesatellite providing an accurate indication of the exact position of thesatellite above the earth at any given time. A ground control stationupdates the ephemeris data of the satellite once per day to ensureaccuracy.

A GPS receiver configured in a wireless device is designed to pick upsignals from three, four, or more satellites simultaneously. The GPSreceiver decodes the information and, utilizing the time and ephemerisdata, calculates the approximate position of the wireless device. TheGPS receiver contains a floating-point processor that performs thenecessary calculations and may output a decimal display of latitude andlongitude as well as altitude on the handset. Readings from threesatellites are necessary for latitude and longitude information. Afourth satellite reading is required in order to compute altitude.

These techniques, however, still do not perform well in denseenvironments where the location of a wireless device (such as a cellulartelephone) is usually hindered in dense environments such as downtowncity blocks. A SPS system within the wireless device should have thecapability to acquire and track the SPS satellites under the conditionsthat the typical user of a wireless device will encounter. Some of theseconditions include utilization of the wireless device indoors and indense urban areas that have a limited sky view, such as in downtownareas with skyscrapers blocking the views of the normally availablesatellites, etc. While these environments are typically manageable forterrestrial-based wireless communications systems, they are difficultenvironments for a SPS system to operate. For example, traditional“autonomous mode” SPS systems (i.e., SPS systems where the SPS receiveracquires the signals from the SPS satellites, tracks the satellites,and, if desired, performs navigation without any outside informationbeing delivered to the SPS system) have problems with long Time To FirstFix (“TTFF”) times and, additionally, have a limited ability to acquirethe SPS satellite signals under indoor or limited sky-view conditions.

Even with some additional information, TTFF times may be over thirtyseconds because the ephemeris data must be acquired from the SPS systemitself, and the SPS receiver typically needs a strong signal to acquirethe ephemeris data reliably. These characteristics of a SPS systemtypically impact the reliability of position availability and powerconsumption in wireless devices. Typically, the accuracy oflocation-based solutions may vary from 30 meters to 300 meters in thesetypes of environments. As a result, locating a wireless device in a 300meter radius zone is unlikely unless there are other methods to helpnarrow the search. Other location-based solutions may include networkbased location approaches such as Advance Forward Link Triangulation(AFLT), Cell ID, Enhanced Cell ID, Angle of Arrival (AOA), Time ofArrival (TOA), and Enhanced Observed Time Difference (EOTD). Thus,location determination approaches include not only SPS system, but alsonetwork based location approaches.

It can be seen, then, that there is a need in the art for a method ofsending additional surrounding information to more accurately locate thewireless communication device. It can also be seen that there is a needin the art for sending images with user position data to assist police,paramedics, and other law enforcement and public service personnel, aswell as other agencies that may need to have legal rights in determiningthe location of a wireless device.

SUMMARY

A system for determining the approximate position (i.e., the location)of a wireless device, located within a cell of a wireless network,utilizing images in addition to user position data. The system includesa wireless device having a image capturing device and a way to derivelocation data. The location data may be derived at the wireless deviceor may be derived in a wireless network. A service center may functionas an E911 center and contain a database of images that enable anoperator to compare a received image with reference images retrievedfrom the database in order to locate a wireless device within a cell.Further, the system may have a call center that provides information inresponse to receipt of the image and location data.

The method performed by the system may include receiving image andlocation data from a wireless device at a call center and comparing theimage to stored images associated with a predetermined area, such as acell. Further, the method may send information back to the wirelessdevice in response to the receipt of the image and location data.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will beor will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination ofthe following figures and detailed description. It is intended that allsuch additional systems, methods, features and advantages be includedwithin this description, be within the scope of the invention, and beprotected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingfigures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of theinvention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of a wireless device in a cell sitethat is part of wireless network depicted with three cell sites.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wireless device of FIG. 1 having animager.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an alternate wireless device of FIG. 1having an imager and satellite position system receiver.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a digital images from the wireless deviceof FIG. 1 and reference digital images located in the database of theservice center.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a process of associating locationinformation with an image generated by the wireless device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process of non-real time process ofassociating location information with an image generated by the wirelessdevice of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process of real time tagging of a wirelessdevice of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system is described that utilizes a wireless device located in awireless network having an imager that is able to aid in identifying thelocation of the wireless device. The wireless device uses the imager tocapture an image of a nearby reference point and transmits that image toa service center. The wireless device may append location informationreceived from a satellite positioning system (SPS) or other locationmethods to the image. The image and location information is alsoavailable for transmission over the Internet or to a service center thatcan access a database of reference images or map/terrain information toassist in locating the position of the wireless device. The system maybe a two-way system that also enables the service center to sendinformation to the wireless device in response to receiving the image.

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a graphicalrepresentation of a wireless device 102 in a cell site 104 that is partof wireless network 100 depicted with three cell sites 104, 106 and 108.The wireless device is a depicted as a cellular telephone, but inalternate embodiments may be a pager, two-way radio, personal digitalassistant (PDA), portable computer, or a tracking device. Differenttypes of wireless devices may also be used within the same wirelessnetwork, for example a cellular phone and portable computer with awireless modem may both be used in the wireless device.

Each cell site 104, 106 and 106 has a respective base transceiverstation (BTS) 110, 112 and 114. A base station controller 116 is incommunication with a mobile switch center (MSC) 118 and controls BTSs110 and 112. BTS 114 is depicted as being directly connected to MSC 118.Different types of networks may use alternate configurations of cells,base stations and switch centers (mobile or PSTN based) while stillsupporting an embodiment of this invention.

The MSC 118 is in communication with a service center 120, such as anE911 center or customer service center. The service center 120 hasaccess to a database 122 residing on a server 123 that may contain, forexample, user's location, name, address, emergency contact, wirelessfeatures, and health records. The server 123 has an integrated display,but in an alternate embodiment the display may be one or more remoteterminals or workstations. In an alternate embodiment the database 122may reside on the MSC 118 or in some remote location within a networkthat is accessed by the service center 120.

Further, MSC 118 may be connected to a public switch telephone network(PSTN) 124 or another MSC (not shown). The MSC 118 may also be connectedto a worldwide network, such as the Internet 126 via router 128.Further, the PSTN 124 and Internet 126 may be a single network thatincludes multiple protocols and connections. Viewing terminals 125 and127 may be connected to the internet 126 and PSTN 124. The viewingterminal may be a personal computer, a wireless device, a dumb terminal,a personal digital assistant (PDA), video phone, a device on a wirelesslocal area network, or any other device that may be found in a PSTNnetwork 124 or Internet 126 capable of displaying or interpreting adigital image.

Turning to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a wireless device 102 of FIG. 1having an imager 202 is shown. The wireless device 102 has a controller204 in electrical communication with the imager 202, a display 206, aninput unit 208, a memory 210, and a codec 212. The imager 202 is alsoconnected to memory 210. The codec 212 has an electrical connection withthe controller 204, a microphone 214, a speaker 216, and a transceiver218. In addition to the transceiver 218 having an electrical connectionwith the controller 204, the transceiver 218 is connected to an antenna220 in order to receive and transmit radio frequency signals. The radiofrequency signals may carry data and or voice signals encoded as CDMA,W-CDMA, CDMA-2000, TDMA, AMPS, TACS, UMTS, AM, or FM. Further, thetransceiver 218 may be a receiver, a transmitter, or a combination oftransmitter and receiver. The wireless device 102 is shown as a singlemode CDMA wireless device, but in an alternate embodiment may beconfigured to receive multiple modes of encoded signals, for example atri-mode cellular telephone.

The display 206 is a liquid crystal display. In alternate embodiments,the display 206 may be light emitting diodes, cathode ray tube, plasmadisplay, VGA, or any other type of device able to present visualinformation. The controller 204 is a microprocessor, such as made byMotorola, Intel, and AMD. In an alternate embodiment, the controller maybe an embedded controller, application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), discrete logic circuit implementing a state machine, analogcircuits implementing a state machine, or a combination of analogcircuits and discrete logic circuits.

The memory 210 represents both read only memory ROM and random accessmemory RAM. Further, memory 210 is shown with a mobile id 222 programmedinto an electric erasable programmable memory (EEPROM). The input unit208 is includes a keypad and function buttons as commonly found oncellular telephones. When a button or series of buttons are entered, asignal is sent from the input unit 208 to the controller 204. Inalternate embodiments, the input unit 208 may include keyboards,pointing devices (i.e. track ball, mouse, touch pad, or touch screen).Further, the input unit 208 with aid from the controller 204 maygenerate interactive audio voice prompts via the speaker 216 and audioinput via the microphone 214. In yet another embodiment, a combinationof the above input methods may be used.

The imager 202 is a charge coupled device (CCD) that is able to convertlight energy into electrical charge and measure the electrical chargeacross a matrix of sensors. The charge measurements are then read andconverted into a digital image. In an alternate embodiment, a CMOSimager may be used to generate a digital image. In yet anotherembodiment, any image pickup device, for example a video camera orscanning device, may be used as an imager 202.

The codec 212 converts analog audio signals from microphone 214 intodigital signals and received digital speech signals into analog audiosignals for speaker 216. The codec 212 is a 16-bit codec, but in otherembodiments may be 8-bit, 16-bit or 32-bit. In yet another embodiment,the codec may be configurable depending on available bandwidth tobetween 8-bit and 32-bit coding.

The wireless device 102 is located in cell site 104 and may periodicallyprovide location data to the wireless network 100. A multimode approachto location identification may be used in wireless network 100 alongwith the location data measured characteristics of cell site 104. Thewireless device 102 provides the measured characteristics of cell site104 to the MSC 118 and an approximate location of the wireless device102 is identified. The wireless network 100 stores the positionalinformation that is tagged with a mobile id 222 that is associated withwireless device 102 in database 122. Thus, a database of locations forthe wireless device 102 is created that may be used to aid in locating awireless device 102 at a time in the future.

When an emergency occurs and the wireless device 102 accesses the E911function, a picture may be taken of a nearby reference, such as abuilding, sign or intersection. The digital image is captured by theimager 202 and placed in memory 210. The controller 204 then accessesthe measured characteristics of the cell site 104 and transmits thedigital image, mobile id 222 and measured characteristics of the cellsite 104 to the service center (E911 center) 120 via the BTS 110, BSC116, and MSC 118. The service center 120 accesses the database 122 withthe mobile id 222 and determines an approximate location.

Due to the inability to pinpoint an exact location of a wireless devicewithin a cell site, a plurality of reference digital images is stored indatabase 122 and associated with cell site 104. A search is conducted onthe reference digital images to find a match with the digital image fromthe wireless device 102. Displaying all the reference digital images andmanually selecting the closet matching reference digital image determinethe match. It is unlikely an exact match will occur, but a close matchbetween the digital image and a reference image will enable a locationto be ascertained. In an alternate embodiment, an algorithm may be usedto automate identifying the match between the digital image and thereference digital images. If a history of location data for a wirelessdevice 102 has been created and stored in the database 122, then thatinformation may be accessed in addition to reference images to aid inmaking a match between the digital image and one of the referencedigital images.

Once a match is achieved, a more precise location of the wireless device102 is achieved and appropriate help may be sent. A further advantage ofreceiving a digital image at the service center 120 is that pictures ofcriminals or crimes may be sent to the service center 120 and relayed toauthorities via the MSC 118, router 128 and Internet 126.

Yet another advantage of sending digital images to a service center 120is the ability to give general assistance to the user of wireless device102. If the user is a tourist and needs a list of tourist attractionsthat are nearby, he can capture a digital image of a nearby referencewith imager 202 and via the input unit 208 enter a function key andrequest a list of tourist attractions. The digital image is transmittedalong with the mobile id 222 and cell site characteristics. The servicecenter 120 then processes the measured characteristics and digital imageto determine the location of the wireless device 102. The service center120 then returns a response tat may be a digital image responsecontaining a list of tourist attractions and their respective locationsback to the wireless device 102.

In an alternate embodiment, a service center 120 may only receive adigital image at the service center 120 without cell sitecharacteristics. The service center 120 then may access database 122 ofreference digital images whose locations are known in order to find amatch for the received digital image. If an intersection or businessname is identified in the received digital image, then the servicecenter 120 may search the Internet 126 using a world wide web (WWW)search engine for the business name or a proprietary database containingaddress and business names. Upon a successful name search, an address ofthe business is retrieved and the location of the wireless device 102 isidentified. Help may be dispatched to the location if the service center120 is an E911 center or information such as attractions, restaurants,or directions may be sent in response to a non-emergency request.

In FIG. 3, a block diagram of an alternate wireless device 102′ of FIG.1 having an imager 202 and SPS receiver 302 is shown. In addition to theelements of FIG. 2, the SPS receiver 302 is connected to a positioncomputation processor 303 and the controller 204. The SPS receiver 302is a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and processor, such asimplemented with SiRF Technologies' SiRFStarIIe chip set. The SPSreceiver 302 is connected to a GPS antenna 304 for receiving satellitesignals from a number of satellites that orbit earth. In anotherembodiment the GPS antenna 304 and antenna 220 may be the same antenna.

The position computation processor 303 is also connected to thecontroller 204 in addition to the SPS receiver 302. The positioncomputation processor 303 is a digital signal processor that receivesdata from the SPS receiver 302 and other cell characteristics and sensorlocation data from other wireless positioning systems such asBluetooth®, wireless local area networks, and/or LORAN networks. Theposition computation processor 303 computes the position and/orgenerates data, required by the server (123, FIG. 1) to determine thelocation data for the wireless device 102′. Examples of some data thatmay be used by the server 123 include but are not limited to pseudoranges, cell ID, and received signal levels. In alternate embodiments,the position computation processor 303 may be combined with controller204 or be a second controller within the wireless device 102′.

The alternate wireless device 102′ of FIG. 3 is able to activate theimager 202 via the input unit 208 in order to send a digital image tothe service center 120. The digital image is associated with thelocation data generated by the position computation processor 303 andthe SPS receiver 302. The digital image and location data are sentthrough the wireless network 100 via the BTS 110, BSC 116 and MSC 118 tothe service center 120. The digital image may contain a picture of whatemergency is occurring if E911 is being accessed. The operator at theE911 center is then able to send the appropriate help to the locationidentified with the received digital image. Further, if the SPS receiver302 is unable to acquire the position signals and hence location data islacking, then the computation processor 303 may associate data fromother position systems or generate data for use by the server 123, FIG.1, with the digital image. In an alternate embodiment, the location datafrom the SPS receiver 302 and data from other position systems/generateddata may both be associated with the digital image sent to server 123.

The location data may be lacking due to SPS receiver 302 having failedto acquire the appropriate number of satellites prior to the E911transmission from the wireless device 102′ or the signals may be blockedby mountains, trees or buildings. Further the location data sent withthe digital image may contain up to a three hundred meter error. Such anerror would be significant in a densely populated area, such as LosAngeles, Washington D.C., or Chicago.

If the sent digital image contains a nearby reference, then the database122 containing reference digital images may be accessed at the servicecenter 120 and a more precise location determined. Furthermore, theservice center 120 may respond to a request for information from thewireless device 102 with a text or digital image containing maps,directions, locations of interest nearby, or even restaurant locations.In another embodiment of wireless network 100, both network centriclocation identification and GPS equipped wireless devices, such as 102′may be supported with location data being associated with digital imagesreceived from wireless devices.

Another service that may be provided by wireless network 100, is theability to send digital images with location data to friends andrelatives via the Internet 126 to viewing terminal 125 or viewingterminal 127. The digital image may be sent to a service center 120 thataccesses a database 122 of email addresses associated with the digitalimage. The service center 120 then forwards the digital image along withassociated location data to the viewing terminal 125 and/or viewingterminal 127. Upon the digital image being open opened, additionalinformation may be gathered based on the location data, such as a mapshowing the location where the digital image was captured, historicfacts about the location, etc. In an alternate embodiment an emailaddress may be entered at the wireless device resulting in the digitalimage being sent through the network to the viewing terminals 125 and127. In yet another embodiment, the wireless device 102 may send thedigital image through the network to another wireless device.

Turning to FIG. 4, an illustration of a digital image 402 from thewireless device 102 of FIG. 1 and reference digital images 404, 406 and408 located in the database 122 of the service center 120 is shown. Thedigital image 402 may contain location data 403 from the network or SPSreceiver 302. Upon receiving the digital image 402 from the wirelessdevice 102 in cell site 104 at the service center 120, a plurality ofreference digital images 404, 406 and 408 associated with cell site 104are accessed. Each of the reference digital images 404, 406 and 408 havea respective location 410, 412 and 414 associated with the image. Anoperator then compares the received digital image 402 with the referenceimages 404, 406 and 408, and determines there is a match with referencedigital image 406. The location of the reference digital image 406 isexactly known as X2, Y2 and Z2 412, thus giving an accurateapproximation for the wireless device 102.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a flow diagram 500 a process of associatinglocation information with an image generated by wireless device 102 ofFIG. 2 is shown. The process starts 502, by the user activating thedigital image location function on wireless device 102 via the inputunit 208 in step 504. The imager 202 in step 506 generates a digitalimage. If the wireless device 102 in step 508, has a SPS receiver 302,then in step 526 the location data from the SPS receiver 302 isassociated with the digital image. The association of the location datawith the digital image is made by linking text location data with thedigital image. In an alternate embodiment, the text location data may besuperimposed onto the digital image.

The wireless device 102 determines the cell site characteristics forexample by measuring the signal strength of the different receivedchannels, signal-to-noise ratios, and power settings of cell site 104 instep 510. The wireless device 102 then transmits the digital image andcell site characteristics to the service center 120 via the wirelessnetwork 100 in step 512. The service center 120 receives the digitalimage and cell site characteristics in step 514. In step 516, thereference digital images are accessed from database 122 using the cellsite characteristics and the associated location data from the SPS ifavailable. The digital image is compared to the references images instep 518. If a match is found in step 518, then processing of thelocation information occurs per the selected function in step 520 andprocessing is completed in step 522. Examples of different functions areE911, location assistance and points of interest. If the location cannotbe ascertained in step 218, then a request is sent for furtherinformation from the wireless device 102 in step 524. The process isthen repeated with another image being transferred to the service center120.

In FIG. 6, a flow diagram 600 of a process of non-real time process ofassociating location information with an image generated by the wirelessdevice 102′ of FIG. 3 is shown. The wireless device in the currentembodiment does not have to have a transceiver 218, codec 212,microphone 214, speaker 216 or microphone 214, for example a digitalcamera with a SPS receiver and position computation processor. Thedevice is still a wireless device, but it is a non-real time wirelessdevice. The process starts 602 when the imager 202 is activated 604 viathe input unit 208. The imager 202 captures an image and converts itinto a digital image 606. If the wireless device 102′ has a SPS receiver608, then the location data is included with the digital image 610.Otherwise, location characteristics are determined 612, for exampleLORAN data, time, map position. The digital image and associatedcharacteristics and/or location data are saved 614 in the memory 210 ofthe wireless device 102′. The wireless device 102′ may contain one ormore digital images in memory 614.

The digital image and associated data may be retrieved upon arriving ata download location 616 (such as viewing terminal 125 or 127), forexample at a personal computer, data terminal, wireless modem, etc. Ifdownloading is to occur, then either the wireless device 102′ detected aconnection to a download location in step 616 or a command was enteredvia the input unit 208.

The associated location data is processed in step 620 to determine alocation 620. The digital image and location data are displayed on theviewing terminal 622, for example viewing terminal 125 or 127.Processing is then complete 624 and may be repeated .for other digitalimages having associated location data and/or location characteristics.Even though wireless device 102′ having a SPS receiver 302 wasdescribed; in an alternate embodiment a wireless device with the onlythe ability to collect location characteristics may be used.

Turning to FIG. 7, a flow diagram of a process of real time tagging 700of a wireless 102′ device of FIG. 3 is shown. The wireless device 102′of FIG. 3 may be used to tag the location of the wireless device 102′.In such an embodiment, the wireless device 102′ is not required to havea display 206, input unit 208, microphone 214 or speaker 216. Tagging isa process where the imager 202 is remotely activated resulting in adigital image and associated location data and/or locationcharacteristics being sent to a service center 120 or viewing terminal125 or 127. Tagging may be used to locate lost children or adults, trackvehicles, and aid law enforcement in retrieving property and locatingpeople.

The process starts 702 with the wireless device 102′ determining if atagging command is received 704 from a service center 120. If a taggingcommand is not received in 704, then step 704 is repeated. Otherwise, ifa tagging command is received in 704, then the digital image locationfunction is activated 706 in response to the service center 120 (henceremote activation).

A digital image is generated 708 by the imager 202. If a SPS receiver302 is present 710, then location data is included with the digitalimage 712. Otherwise, location characteristics are determined andassociated with the digital image 714.

The digital image and location data and/or location characteristics aresent 716 to the service center 120 via the wireless network 100. Theservice center 120 then processes the associated data 718 to determine alocation of the wireless device 102′. The processing of the data, forexample may be by processing the location characteristics, retrievingGPS location data, comparing the digital image to other referencedigital images located in a database 122, identifying items in thedigital image, or any combination of the above. The digital image isdisplayed along with the associated location data 720 at the servicecenter 120 and the tagging process is complete 722.

In an alternate embodiment, a terminal in the Internet 126, PSTN 124, oreven another wireless device in a wireless network may activate thetagging function. hi yet another embodiment the tagging may be innon-real time with the wireless device storing the digital image andlocation data and/or location characteristics in memory until a latertime when it is downloaded to a viewing terminal 125 or 127.

The processes in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 may be performed by hardware orsoftware. If the process is performed by software, the software mayreside in software memory (not shown) in the wireless device or wirelessnetwork. The software in memory may include an ordered listing ofexecutable instructions for implementing logical functions (i.e.,“logic” that may be implement either in digital form such as digitalcircuitry or source code or in analog form such as analog circuitry oran analog source such an analog electrical, sound or video signal), mayselectively be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device,such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or othersystem that may selectively fetch the instructions from the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. Inthe context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” is any meansthat may contain, store, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.The computer readable medium may selectively be, for example but notlimited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared,or semiconductor system, apparatus, device. More specific examples “anon-exhaustive list” of the computer-readable medium would include thefollowing: a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a RAM (electronic),a read-only memory “ROM” (electronic), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (electronic), an optical fiber(optical), and a portable compact disc read-only memory “CDROM”(optical).

While various embodiments of the application have been described, itwill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many moreembodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scopeof this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restrictedexcept in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.

1. A wireless device locating apparatus, comprising: a server; adisplay; a database that resides on the server with a plurality ofreference digital images; a digital image from a wireless devicetogether with location data integrated into the digital image, presentedat the display with at least one of the plurality of reference digitalimages that approximately matches the digital image; a location beingidentified from the one of the plurality of reference digital images;and a function identifier integrated into the digital image received bythe server and a plurality of data addressed to the wireless device inresponse to receipt of the digital image.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the integrated location data includes a plurality of cell sitecharacteristics that are processed to determine which of the pluralityof reference digital images to access.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the integrated location data includes satellite positioningsystem data.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the functionidentifier signals E911.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefunction identifier is a request for direction.
 6. A wireless apparatus,comprising: an input unit; an imager that creates digital images; asatellite position system receiver in receipt of location data; atransmitter; a controller that activates the imager in response to amessage wirelessly received by the input unit and integrates locationdata into the digital image for transmission by the transmitter; and afunction identifier integrated into the digital image and a plurality ofdata addressed to the wireless apparatus in response to receipt of thedigital image.
 7. The wireless apparatus of claim 6, where the satelliteposition system further includes a global positioning system receiverand a global positioning system processor.
 8. The wireless apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the controller receives an E911 signal from the inputunit to activate the imager and transmit the digital image together withthe integrated location data to an E911 center.
 9. The wirelessapparatus of claim 6, further including a receiver, and a displaycontrolled by the controller that displays a response received by thereceiver.
 10. The wireless apparatus of claim 9, wherein the response isa digital image response.
 11. A wireless system, comprising: a wirelessdevice with a controller in communication with a display, an input unitand an imager; a transmitter in the wireless device that transmits to aserver a digital image together with a plurality of cell sitecharacteristics measured by the wireless device in response to the inputunit that are integrated into the digital image by the controller; adatabase that resides on the server with a plurality of referencedigital images accessed in response to receipt of the digital image andintegrated cell site characteristics from the wireless device; alocation of the wireless device identified upon selection of one of theplurality of reference digital images; and a function identifierintegrated into the digital image received by the server and a pluralityof data addressed to the wireless device in response to receipt of thedigital image.
 12. The system of claim 11, further including a satellitepositioning system receiver in the wireless device that derives locationdata that is integrated into the digital image by the controller. 13.The system of clam 11, further including: a response message sent by atransmitter in the server to the wireless device in response to thelocation of the wireless device being located; and a receiver in thewireless device in receipt of the response message which is displayed onthe display by the controller.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein theresponse message is a response digital image.
 15. A method for locatinga wireless device, comprising: receiving a digital image from thewireless device at a server; integrating location data into the digitalimage; accessing a database that is in communication with the server;displaying at least one of a plurality of reference digital images withthe digital image; identifying a location of the wireless device from acomparison of the digital image with the at least one of the pluralityof reference digital images; and receiving a function identifierintegrated into the digital image at the server, and sending a pluralityof data addressed to the wireless device in response to receipt of thedigital image.
 16. The method of claim 15, including processing thelocation data where the location data includes a plurality of cell sitecharacteristics, and identifying a plurality of reference digital imagesin response to the processing of the plurality of cell sitecharacteristics.
 17. The method of claim 15, including receiving thelocation data where the location data includes satellite positioningsystem data, and identifying a plurality of reference digital images inresponse to the receipt of the satellite positioning system data. 18.The method of claim 15, wherein the function identifier signals E911.19. The method of claim 15, wherein the function identifier is a requestfor direction.
 20. A method for wireless apparatus location, comprising:activating an imager to generate a digital image in response to acontroller being in receipt of a signal from an input unit, the signalgenerated in response to a message wirelessly received by the inputunit; integrating location data from a satellite position system intothe digital image; transmitting the digital image together with theintegrated location data; and integrating a function identifier into thetransmitted digital image, and receiving a plurality of data addressedto the wireless apparatus in response to receipt of the transmitteddigital image.
 21. The wireless method of claim 20, where the satelliteposition system further includes receiving location data signals at aglobal positioning system receiver, and deriving the location data fromthe location data signals with a global positioning system processor.22. The method of claim 20, including receiving an E911 signal at thecontroller from the input unit, and transmitting the integrated locationdata and the digital image to an E911 center.
 23. The method of claim20, further including displaying on the display a response received at areceiver to the transmission of the digital image and the integratedlocation data.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the response is adigital image response.
 25. An apparatus for locating a wireless device,comprising: means for receiving a digital image from the wireless deviceat a server; means for integrating location data into the digital image;means for accessing a database that is in communication with the server;means for displaying at least one of a plurality of reference digitalimages with the digital image; means for identifying a location of thewireless device from a comparison of the digital image with the at leastone of the plurality of reference digital images; and means forreceiving a function identifier integrated into the digital image at theserver, and means for sending a plurality of data addressed to thewireless device in response to receipt of the digital image.
 26. Theapparatus of claim 25, including means for processing the location datawhere the location data includes a plurality of cell sitecharacteristics, and means for identifying a plurality of referencedigital images in response to the processing of the plurality of cellsite characteristics.
 27. The apparatus of claim 25, including means forreceiving the location data where the location data includes satellitepositioning system data, and means for identifying a plurality ofreference digital images in response to the receipt of the satellitepositioning system data.
 28. The apparatus of claim 25, furtherincluding means for receiving a function identifier associated into adigital image at the server, and means for sending a plurality of dataaddressed to the wireless device in response to receipt of the digitalimage.
 29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the function identifiersignals E911.
 30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the functionidentifier is a request for direction.
 31. A wireless apparatus,comprising: means for activating an imager to generate an image inresponse to a controller being in receipt of a signal from an inputunit, the signal generated in response to a message wirelessly receivedby the input unit; means for integrating location data from a satelliteposition system into the digital image; means for transmitting thedigital image together with the integrated location data; and means forintegrating a function identifier into the transmitted digital image,and means for receiving a plurality of data addressed to the wirelessdevice in response to receipt of the transmitted digital image.
 32. Theapparatus of claim 31, where the satellite position system furtherincludes means for receiving location data signals at a globalpositioning system receiver, and means for deriving the location datafrom the location data signals with a global positioning systemprocessor.
 33. The apparatus of claim 31, including means for receivingan E911 signal at the controller from the input unit, and means fortransmitting the integrated location data and the digital image to anE911 center,
 34. The apparatus of claim 31, further including means fordisplaying on the display a response received at a receiver to thetransmission of the digital image and the location data.
 35. Theapparatus of claim 34, wherein the response is a digital image response.36. A computer-readable medium tangibly embodying a program ofmachine-readable instructions executable by a digital data processingmachine to perform operations for locating a wireless device, theoperations comprising: receiving a digital image from the wirelessdevice at a server; integrating location data into the digital image;accessing a database that is in communication with the server;displaying at least one of a plurality of reference digital images withthe digital image; identifying a location of the wireless device from acomparison of the digital image with the at least one of the pluralityof reference digital images; receiving a function identifier associatedwith a digital image at the server; and sending a plurality of dataaddressed to the wireless device in response to receipt of the digitalimage.
 37. The computer-readable medium of claim 36, further includingmachine-readable instructions to perform the operations of: processingthe location data where the location data includes a plurality of cellsite characteristics; and identifying a plurality of reference digitalimages in response to the processing of the plurality of cell sitecharacteristics.
 38. The computer-readable medium of claim 36, furtherincluding machine-readable instructions to perform the operations of:receiving the location data where the location data includes satellitepositioning system data; and identifying a plurality of referencedigital images in response to the receipt of the satellite positioningsystem data.
 39. The computer-readable medium of claim 36, wherein thefunction identifier signals E911.
 40. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 36, wherein the function identifier is a request for direction.41. A computer-readable medium tangibly embodying a program ofmachine-readable instructions executable by a digital data processingmachine to perform operations for wireless apparatus location, theoperations comprising: activating an imager to generate a digital imagein response to a controller being in receipt of a signal from an inputunit, the signal generated in response to a message wirelessly receivedby the input unit; integrating location data from a satellite positionsystem into the digital image; transmitting the digital image togetherwith the integrated location data; integrating a function identifierinto the transmitted digital image; and receiving a plurality of dataaddressed to the wireless apparatus in response to receipt of thetransmitted digital image.
 42. The computer-readable medium of claim 41,wherein the operation of integrating location data from the satelliteposition system into the digital image further includes the operationsof: receiving location data signals at a global positioning systemreceiver; and deriving the location data from the location data signalswith a global positioning system processor.
 43. The computer-readable ofclaim 41, further including machine-readable instructions to perform theoperations of: receiving an E911 signal at the controller from the inputunit; and transmitting the integrated location data and the digitalimage to an E911 center.
 44. The computer-readable medium of claim 41,further including machine-readable instructions to perform the operationof displaying on the display a response received at a receiver to thetransmission of the digital image and the integrated location data. 45.The computer-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the response is adigital image response.
 46. A wireless apparatus, comprising: acontroller with access to location data; an imager in electricalcommunication with the controller; a receiver in electricalcommunication with the controller in receipt of a message that resultsin activation of the imager by the controller and generation of adigital image, where the controller integrates location data into thedigital image; and a function identifier integrated into the digitalimage and a plurality of data addressed to the wireless apparatus inresponse to receipt of the digital image at a server.
 47. The wirelessapparatus of claim 46, further including a transmitter that transmitsthe digital image together with the integrated location data formattedfor viewing by a viewing terminal.
 48. The wireless apparatus of claim46, further including a memory in electrical communication with thecontroller that stores the digital image and the integrated locationdata in the memory.
 49. The wireless apparatus of claim 46, wherein thelocation data is GPS location data.
 50. The wireless apparatus of claim46, wherein the message is from another wireless device.
 51. A methodfor location of a wireless apparatus, comprising: receiving a taggingmessage at a receiver in the wireless device; activating an imager togenerate a digital image in response to the message being processed bythe controller; integrating location data into the digital image via thecontroller; integrating a function identifier into the digital image;and receiving a plurality of data addressed to the wireless apparatus inresponse to receipt of the digital image at a server.
 52. The method ofclaim 51, further including transmitting via a transmitter under thecontrol of the controller the digital image together with the integratedlocation data formatted for a viewing terminal.
 53. The method of claim51, further including saving in a memory in electrical communicationwith the controller the digital image together with the integratedlocation data.
 54. The method of claim 51, wherein the location data isGPS location data.
 55. The method of claim 51, wherein the message isreceived from another wireless device.
 56. An apparatus for location ofa wireless device, comprising: means for receiving a tagging message ata receiver in the wireless device; means for activating an imager togenerate a digital image in response to the message being processed bythe controller; means for integrating location data into the digitalimage; and means for integrating a function identifier into the digitalimage, and means for receiving a plurality of data addressed to thewireless device in response to receipt of the digital image at a server.57. The apparatus of claim 56, further including means for transmittingunder the control of the controller the digital image together with theintegrated location data formatted for a viewing terminal.
 58. Theapparatus of claim 56, further including memory means for saving thedigital image together with the integrated location data.
 59. A wirelessapparatus, comprising: a controller with access to location data; animager in electrical communication with the controller; an input unit inelectrical communication with the controller in receipt of an input thatresults in activation of the imager by the controller and generation ofa digital image, where the controller integrates location data into thedigital image; and a function identifier integrated into the digitalimage and a plurality of data addressed to the wireless apparatus inresponse to receipt of the digital image at a server.
 60. The wirelessapparatus of claim 59, further including a memory in electricalcommunication with the controller that stores the digital image togetherwith the integrated location data in the memory.
 61. The wirelessapparatus of claim 59, wherein the location data is GPS location data.62. A method for identifying the location of a wireless apparatus,comprising: receiving at a controller of a wireless apparatus an inputfrom an input unit of the wireless apparatus; activating an imager togenerate a digital image in response to the input received by thecontroller; integrating wireless apparatus location data into thedigital image via the controller; integrating a function identifier intothe digital image; and receiving a plurality of data addressed to thewireless apparatus in response to receipt of the digital image at aserver.
 63. The method of claim 62, further including saving in a memoryin electrical communication with die controller the digital image andthe integrated location data.